(CNN) - The criminal conspiracy trial of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is tentatively scheduled to begin in October, U.S. District Court Judge Norwood Carlton Tilley Jr. said on Thursday.

Edwards, a former U.S. senator and two-time presidential candidate, pleaded not guilty in June to conspiracy and campaign law violations.

(CNN)- GOP 2012 presidential hopeful Rick Santorum struck back at criticism of his decision to sign a controversial marriage pledge earlier this week, maintaining that the vow solidifies his commitment to campaign promises.

"When we sign these pledges, that is what we are doing, solemnizing our words," former Pennsylvania Sen. Santorum wrote in a USA Today editorial published Thursday. "We are asking our fellow citizens for the most precious commitment they can give in a democracy: their vote. In turn, it shouldn't be too much to ask that we offer a guarantee as well. With all candidates say and do, we should not shrink from offering our civic commitments, either."FULL POST

(CNN) - President Barack Obama heads home to Chicago early next month to celebrate his 50th birthday and raise some campaign cash for his re-election bid.

The president turns 50 on August 4. According to two Democratic sources with knowledge of the gatherings, the night before Obama will attend two fundraising events at the Aragon theater, a historic ballroom in the "Uptown" section of Chicago.FULL POST

(CNN) - Sarah Palin's political action committee raised over $1.6 million in the first half of 2011, according to a report set to be released Thursday.

She now has approximately $1.4 million cash on hand despite having spent almost $1.6 million over the same period, according to Sarah PAC. But the funds raised cannot be used for a potential run for the White House in 2012.FULL POST

This is the moment, according to the source, when the administration hopes the GOP will deliver specifics on what, if any, revenue raisers Republicans would be willing to accept in exchange for tax cuts.FULL POST

(CNN) - Mitt Romney remains far ahead of the rest of his rivals for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination in the first poll of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire conducted entirely in July.

According to an American Research Group survey released Thursday, 29 percent say they're likely to back the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts, who's making his second bid for the White House.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - At the heart of the contentious talks between the White House and congressional Republicans on whether to raise the debt ceiling is a simple, one-sentence document many conservative lawmakers have signed, pledging not to increase taxes.

Ever.

"I _____ pledge to the taxpayers of the state of _____ and all the people of this state, that I will oppose and vote against all efforts to increase taxes," reads the version of the pledge signed by Republican lawmakers.

(CNN) - Coming Friday to the airwaves in Iowa and New Hampshire: Rep. Ron Paul's first television ads of the 2012 campaign.

The 60-second commercial, which looks at the onset like a movie preview ad, highlights opposition by the longtime Republican congressman from Texas who is making his third bid for the White House to raising the nation's debt ceiling.FULL POST